Head bowl accessory for a water pipe

ABSTRACT

A system for facilitating smoking of tobacco from a hookah including a bowl with an interior space defined by an inner surface and one or more walls separating the inner space into a plurality of compartments for holding organic matter to be smoked by a user and a supporting a cap for holding a heat source.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/489,475, filed Jun. 6, 2012; and related to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/549,435, filed Nov. 20, 2014; and is a continuation-in-partof PCT/US2014/066709 filed Nov. 20, 2014 which are each herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter described herein relates generally to a system,device, and method preparing tobacco or other organic material forsmoking using a water pipe, such as a hookah. Traditional water pipesgenerally include a plate for supporting charcoal, a head for containingtobacco, a body including an internal pipe, a base for containing water,and a hose. Typically a user will first fill the base with water andthen place the internal pipe into the water such that the body createsan airtight seal with the base. The head is then filled with tobacco orother organic material and placed over the internal pipe such that anairtight seal is created between the internal pipe and the head. Nextthe user places the plate over the head, places one or more litcharcoals on the plate and these charcoals serve to heat the tobaccounderneath the plate. The hose is typically attached to the body suchthat it has an airtight connection with air above the water in the base.The user can inhale through the hose which draws smoke from the heatedtobacco in the head through the internal pipe, through the watercontained in the base, through the hose and into the user's lungs.

The embodiments provided herein teach features and advantages heretoforeuntaught by the prior art, as will be clear to one of ordinary skill inthe art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly and in general terms, the embodiments described herein providefor a system, method and device for smoking tobacco (or other organicmatter) via a water pipe.

These and other aspects and advantages of the instant invention will beapparent from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawing, which illustrates by way of example the principles and featuresof the instant invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the bestmode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1A illustrates an example embodiment of a water pipe in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic view of an example embodiment of a water pipein accordance with the present invention

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a top view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2C shows a bottom view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2D shows a side view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2E shows a cutaway view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2F shows a perspective view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2G shows a side view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2H shows a perspective view of the bottom of the example embodimentof a bowl in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2I shows a perspective view of the top of the example embodiment ofa bowl in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2J shows a side view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2K shows a side view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2L shows a perspective view of the top of the example embodiment ofa bowl in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2M shows a top view of the example embodiment of a bowl inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a top view of an example embodiment of a two componentbowl in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a top view of an example embodiment of a two componentbowl in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3C shows a perspective cutaway view of the example embodiment of atwo component bowl in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3D shows a side view of an example embodiment of a two componentbowl with windows in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3E shows a side view of an example embodiment of a two componentbowl with windows in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A-4E show an example embodiment of a use case of a ventilatedcover in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5A shows a side cutaway view of an example embodiment of a twocomponent bowl and ventilated lid in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of the example embodiment of a coupledventilated cover cap, platform and head in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 5C shows a side cutaway view of an example embodiment of a coupledventilated cover and head in a closed configuration in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The above described drawing figures illustrate the described inventionand method of use in at least one of its preferred, best modeembodiment, which is further defined in detail in the followingdescription. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to makealterations and modifications to what is described herein withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope. While this invention is susceptibleof embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawingsand will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of theinvention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to beconsidered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention andis not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to theembodiment illustrated. All features, elements, components, functions,and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein areintended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from anyother embodiment unless otherwise stated. Therefore, it should beunderstood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposesof example and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary water pipe 10 in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, thewater pipe generally comprises: a base 100, a stem 200, a bowl 300, anda hose 400. An exemplary water pipe is described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/489,475, filed on Jun. 6, 2012, the entirecontents and disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

As shown for example in FIG. 1B, in general, the base 100 comprises aconcave vessel having an open top portion for containing water or otherliquid 102 therein. The stem 200 extends into the base such that adistal end of the stem is partially submerged within the liquid 102contained therein. The stem 200 also couples to the open top portion ofthe base so as to form a substantially airtight seal therewith.Accordingly, a first base grommet 104 may be provided to couple the stem200 and the base 100 so as to form the substantially airtight seal. Inthis manner, a chamber is formed by the base 100 and stem 200/grommet104. The hose 400 extends into the base 100 such that a proximal portionof the hose 400 is in fluid communication with the chamber 106, thoughpreferably not within the contained liquid 102 (e.g. air can passbetween chamber 106 and hose 400). Preferably, a substantially airtightseal is formed from the coupling of the hose 400 and base 100.Accordingly, a second hose grommet 108 may be provided to couple thehose 400 and the base 100 so as to form the substantially airtight seal.In some embodiments, a hose valve (not shown) may be intermediate thehose 400 and the base 100, the hose valve extending into the chamber 106at one end and exterior to the chamber 106, coupling with the hose 400,at the other. Bowl 300 couples to a proximal end of stem 200 such that asubstantially airtight seal is formed therebetween. Accordingly, a thirdbowl grommet 110 may be provided to couple bowl 300 and stem 200 so asto form the substantially airtight seal. In operation, organic matter tobe smoked 308 may be contained within bowl 300, and bowl 300 may becovered with a cover 112, such as punctured foil, or a ventilated coversuch as that described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/489,475,filed on Jun. 6, 2012, the entire contents and disclosure of which isherein incorporated by reference. Coals 114 or other combustible heatingmaterial can be placed on or in cover 112 to heat the tobacco 308.

Critically, bowl 300, stem 200 and hose 400 each comprise a hollow tubesuch that when base 100, bowl 300, stem 200 and hose 400 are coupled, anairflow path is formed. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, a user inhaling atthe distal end of hose 400 may thus draw heated air into bowl 300,causing the organic material 308 therein to burn, releasing smoke thatis subsequently drawn through bowl 300, through stem 200, and intoliquid 102 contained within chamber 106 of base 100. The smoke thenrises through liquid 102 into the preferably sealed area above liquid102 in the chamber 106, becoming filtered in the process, and inhaledthrough hose 400 as it is smoked by the user.

Other water pipe components, such as purge valves, ashtrays, baseflavorings, etc. are generally known in the art and, while notspecifically described herein, are intended to be useable in combinationwith the presently described embodiments without departing from thescope of the invention.

An example embodiment of a bowl 300 in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown for example in FIGS. 2A and 2D-2L, bowl 300 generally comprisesa substantially hemispherical bowl head 302 extending vertically andradially from a substantially cylindrical bowl stalk 304. As shown, bowlstalk 304 may be flared outward at its bottom end to facilitate easiermanipulation and coupling with a stem, as previously described. Bowl 300preferably further comprises interior 306 and exterior 307 surfacesseparated by a rim portion 310. In some embodiments, located central tothe bowl head 302, and forming a portion of the inner surface of thebowl 300, may be a hollow tube 312 extending the length of the bowl 300from the bowl head 302 through the bowl stalk 304. Hollow tube 312, andother structures herein described, are additionally shown in FIG. 2E,which is a cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary bowl 300.

Bowl head 302 preferably further comprises a plurality of compartments320 therein for containing the organic matter or other material to besmoked. As seen in FIGS. 2A-2B and 2L-2M, a plurality of internal walls322 may extend inward from the interior surface of the bowl head tohollow tube 312, forming the plurality of compartments 320. Accordingly,each internal wall 322 may partially or wholly separate adjacentcompartments 320. Compartments 320 may have varied dimensions and may beuniform or sized differently in different embodiments. In the exampleembodiment each compartment is of equal depth and similar dimensions andshape. Each compartment may have a “U” shaped cross sectional profilewhen viewed from a side. Alternatively, each compartment may have a “V”shape, open-top square shape, open-top rectangular shape or othershapes.

As shown for example in FIGS. 2A-2B and 2L-2M, in some embodiments bowl300 may comprise at least six such compartments 320 a, 320 b, etc.However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatadditional or fewer compartments may be formed without departing fromthe scope of the invention. In this way, a variety of organic matter,such as tobacco or shisha or other organic material having differentflavors, may be mixed or otherwise combined in a single bowl 300 forsmoking

As shown for example in FIGS. 2A-2B and 2L-2M, in some embodiments,internal walls 322 may be spirally oriented. The spiral orientation mayfacilitate mixing of flavors. In other embodiments, compartments 320 maynot have spiral orientation and may be more similar to a pie shape.Although not shown, in some embodiments, the compartments 320 may benon-identical. For example, some compartments 320 may be larger thanothers. As an alternative or additional example, compartments 320 may beconcentrically oriented, or partially thereso. In at least someembodiments, internal walls 322 facilitate even heating. In someembodiments, multiple hollow tubes 312 may be included. For instance,three hollow tubes 312 may exist in bowl head 302 and may merge into asingle hollow tube 312 in bowl stalk 304.

In some embodiments compartments 320 are slightly recessed from an upperelevation of the rim 310, forming a space between a cover and theorganic matter to be smoked (see FIGS. 2A, 2E, 2I, 2L, 2M, 3C, 5A and5C) so as to promote airflow from the organic matter to the hollow tube312.

FIGS. 2B and 2M show a top view of the bowl 300. Compartments 320 areshown in the spiral configuration about central hollow tube 312. Asmentioned above, compartments 320 may provide flavor mixing advantagesnot currently present in the art. For instance, one compartment 320 amay be used for a first flavor of tobacco while a second compartment 320b may be used for a second flavor, and so on until each compartment 320is filled. Unique and easily reproducible flavor combinations may becreated by a user based on this design. Additionally, compartments 320may be used to measure particular amounts of respective differentflavorings so as to generate an easily reproducible ratio.

As shown for example in FIGS. 2C, 2E, and 2H, bowl stalk 304 may furthercomprise a grommet 314 for effecting a substantially airtight seal witha water pipe stem. In some embodiments grommet 314 may includethreading, tread, ribs or other surface characteristics. Grommet 314 maybe the same material as the rest of bowl 300 although in someembodiments it may be a different material. For instance, grommet 314may be rubber to promote better sealing characteristics and permanentlycoupled with hollow tube 312. Grommet 314 may be flared as shown in theexample embodiment of FIG. 2C by the concentric rings at the center.This may create a conical cross section of grommet 314 when viewed fromthe side of bowl 300, as shown in FIG. 2E. The conical cross section maypromote better sealing characteristics with a water pipe stem and easeof user coupling of head 300 with the water pipe stem. In operation,grommet 314 preferably replaces the traditional bowl grommet shown inFIG. 1B.

As shown for example in FIGS. 2A, 2C-2D and 2F-2L, an exterior surfaceof the bowl may comprise a grip portion 316. In some embodiments, thisgrip portion 316 may include individual features that create a frictionsurface providing additional grip to the user. The grip surface mayinclude ridges, bumps, depressions and other features. The grip portion316 in the example embodiment is a series of lines with arcing features,running generally parallel to each other around bowl 300. A similarseries of lines with arcing features in an opposite direction rungenerally substantially parallel to each other around bowl 300 such thatnumerous intersections of each set of lines with any one line creates across-hatched pattern around bowl 300.

In at least one embodiment, bowl 300 is made of silicone material.Silicone may have advantages such as improved insulation around the head302 and improved heat distribution inside the head 302 and may alsoprovide improved uniformity of heat distribution. In the exampleembodiment, silicone is FDA approved silicone. Improved insulationaround head 302 may provide an improved user experience since users areless likely to burn themselves when handling bowl 300 when it is hot.Improved heat distribution inside head 302 may provide an improved userexperience since it promotes even heating characteristics for organicmatter in compartments 320. As such, organic matter may be evenly heatedand less likely to have portions burn while other portions remainunheated. In other embodiments clay, marble, glass, or other appropriatematerials may be used.

As shown for example in FIG. 2E-2F, 2I and 2L-2M, rim portion 310 mayfurther comprise a coupling surface for frictionally coupling a cover(not shown) to bowl 300 such that charcoal or other heat source mayprovide heat to tobacco or other organic substances while remainingseparated therefrom, in accordance with the embodiments and conceptsdiscussed herein. In some embodiments, a cover preferably comprises aventilated cover, such as the ventilated cover described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/489,475, filed on Jun. 6, 2012 and others. Insome embodiments, coupling surface may be an interior surface of rim310. In some embodiments, the coupling surface may be an exteriorsurface of rim 310. In some embodiments, the coupling surface may be anupper surface of rim 310. In some embodiments, the coupling surface maybe a combination of more than one of an exterior, interior and uppersurface of the rim 310. Preferably, the coupling surface includes tread,threading, ribs or similar structure adapted to increase the frictionalcoupling of the cover with bowl 300.

As shown in FIG. 2E, a space 318 exists in various embodiments between aventilated cover (not shown) and tobacco or other organic matter to besmoked contained in compartments 320. In this space, air may pick upsmoke particles emanating from the heating of tobacco or other organicmatter by coals on a platform above bowl 300 and be pulled throughhollow tube 312 by a user while inhaling.

FIG. 2E also shows internal ridges 324 which can be provided in someembodiments for sealing bowl 300 with a ventilated or other cover. Theseridges 324 can be threaded such that a screwing mechanism is provided.

FIGS. 2F-2L shows an example embodiment of bowl 300 with grip portion316. The grip portion as shown has raised diamond features over itsexterior surface 307.

In accordance with the bowl of FIG. 2, a user can insert a meteredamount of tobacco, shisha or other organic material into one or more ofcompartments 320 before or after coupling bowl 300 with a stem of awater pipe in order to prepare bowl 300 for smoking

FIGS. 3A-3E show example embodiments of a multi-component bowl accordingto the invention. Although the example embodiments show a dual componentbowl, additional components are contemplated, including individuallyremovable chambers and others.

FIG. 3A shows a top view of an example embodiment of a dual componentbowl 1200 in accordance with the present invention. In variousembodiments, an outer bowl 1202 is provided with an inner bowl 1204which can be a different material and can be fixed or removable withrespect to outer bowl 1202. In the example embodiment, outer bowl 1202is a silicone bowl which does not readily transfer heat and providessome insulating features Inner bowl 1204 is a glass bowl which providesheat transfer properties. Inner bowl 1204 can be manufactured with aspiral pattern 1206, which in some embodiments can function similarly tothe spiral features creating individual compartments as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 2A-2M and create compartments.

FIG. 3B shows a top view of an example embodiment of a dual componentbowl 1200 in accordance with the present invention. In the exampleembodiment spiral features 1206 of inner bowl 1204 can be seen. Innerbowl 1204 is substantially translucent and bowl windows 1208 of outerbowl 1202 can be seen through inner bowl 1204, as will be furtherdescribed with respect to FIG. 12D below.

FIG. 3C shows a perspective cutaway view of the example embodiment of adual component bowl 1200 in accordance with the present invention. Inthe example embodiment, inner bowl 1204 is shown in a coupledconfiguration with outer bowl 1202. When in the coupled configuration, alower terminus of inner bowl 1204 is maintained in a fixed position withrespect to outer bowl 1202 at supporting ridge 1212 of outer bowl 1202.In some embodiments, no supporting ridge 1212 is included and inner bowl1204 is merely supported by inner walls of outer bowl 1202. As shown inthe example embodiment, outer bowl 1202 can include an upper ridge 1210which fits over an upper terminus of inner bowl 1204. As such, innerbowl 1204 is held snugly in place and will not move with respect toouter bowl 1202, even if turned upside down. As such, inner bowl 1204 isprotected from breaking in case a user accidentally drops or knocks itover by shock absorbing material features of outer bowl 1202. In someembodiments, upper ridge 1210 is substantially flexible, such that auser can bend it back from inner bowl 1204 and remove inner bowl 1204from outer bowl 1202 for convenient cleaning, maintenance andreplacement.

FIGS. 3D-3E show side views of an example embodiment of a dual componentbowl 1200 with windows 1208 in accordance with the present invention. Inthe example embodiment, windows 1208 are diamond shaped and providedirect exposure to exterior air for a large outer surface of inner bowl1204 and thus allow direct heat exchange between exterior air and innerbowl 1204. Windows 1208 can also allow users to identify whether tobaccoor other substance is present within bowl 1200 without having to removeany cap or other covering from the upper surface of bowl 1200. Windows1208 can also provide a convenient location for users to apply force toremove inner bowl 1204 from outer bowl 1202 in embodiments where innerbowl 1204 is removable for easy cleaning, maintenance and replacement.In the example embodiment windows 1208 are holes in outer bowl 1202although in other embodiments, they can be covered or otherwise filledwith other materials.

In accordance with the embodiments described above and shownrespectively in FIGS. 4A-4E 5A-5C, a user can place or otherwise couplea ventilated cover 700, 500 on a rim of a bowl 300 with tobacco, shishaor other organic matter already prepared as described above. Then a usercan place coals or other combustible material on a platform of cover700, 500 (see FIG. 4C. Once the coals or other combustible material arein place, they can be heated by a heat source, for example a match orlighter, before a user places or otherwise couples a ventilated cap 540on platform 522 (see FIG. 4D).

FIGS. 4A-4E show a particular use case of a ventilated cover 700 inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. In anexample embodiment a ventilated cover 700 as disclosed herein may beplaced on a water pipe head 300 (see also 1200) as shown in FIG. 4A,such that at least one perimeter bowl vent (not shown) is oriented abovethe head 300, as shown in FIG. 4B. A heating source may be added withina heating chamber on a platform inside ventilated cover 700, as shown inFIG. 4C. This may be lit with a flame or otherwise heated such that theheating source produces heat. Vents may be closed to warm up the chamberand then the vents may be opened to an appropriate amount by rotatingusing arm or other adjustment mechanism in order to allow adequateventilation. Users can wait two to four minutes or other appropriatelengths of time in order for tobacco or other organic matter to beappropriately heated, as shown in FIG. 4D. Air can be drawn through theheated tobacco or shisha contained in bowl 300 by a user inhalingthrough an adequately coupled hose and smoked and enjoyed accordingly,as shown in FIG. 4E.

In general, a ventilated cover 700 and bowl 300 may be washed by handfor optimal cleaning using hot water and soap or other appropriatecleaner. Likewise, a ventilated cover may be handled with tongs toensure a user does contact surfaces which may be hot with the exceptionof handles or rims to adjust vents. When vents are open or a cap isremoved, a ventilated cover 700 will generally be at its coolesttemperature. When vents are closed, ventilated cover 700 may be at itshottest temperature. As such, bowl 300 will likewise be at a coolest andhottest temperature in accordance with these principles.

As would be understood by one in the art, features described herein andshown in the figures may be combined in appropriate combinations and arethus contemplated herein. Further, although FIG. 4 particularlyillustrates a use case of an example embodiment ventilated cover 700, itis understood that one of skill in the art would understand how to useany combination of features as described with respect to the embodimentsdisclosed herein, including other ventilated covers and bowls. Further,as would be understood in the art, the shapes disclosed herein are notlimiting. For instance, a round bowl could be replaced by a triangularor square bowl in various embodiments, as could diamond shapes bereplaced by others.

FIG. 5A shows a side cutaway view of an example embodiment of a twocomponent bowl 1200 including outer bowl 1202 having an upper ridge1210, upon which a ventilated lid 501 can rest or be coupled in additionto an inner bowl 1204 which may also have coupling features in someembodiments.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of an example embodiment of a ventilated cover501 having a cap 541 and platform 521 and bowl 1200 in accordance withat least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5C shows a side cutaway view of an example embodiment of aventilated cover 501 including coupled cap 541 and platform 521, inaddition to head 301 in in accordance with the present invention. Asshown, an interlock between a ridge 303 of head 301 and lower lip 527and upper lip 525 of platform 521 can provide a seal, which in someembodiments is airtight, between lid 501 and bowl 301. As such, lid 501will not fall off of bowl 301 if adjusted or accidentally knocked overby a user or third party and will maintain an airtight seal for maximumuser enjoyment.

Items 1-15 below describe further embodiments of the invention by thecombination of features as described in these items 1-15 as follows:

1. Hookah bowl for facilitating smoking of tobacco or other organicmaterial from a hookah, that the hookah bowl 1200 having an inner bowlcomponent 1204 and an outer bowl component 1202, the inner bowlcomponent 1204 being made from a different the material than the outerbowl component 1202 differing at least by the material property of theouter bowl component 1202 material having resilient properties for shockabsorbing, while the material of the inner bowl component 1204 has aresilience that is lower than of the material of the outer bowlcomponent 1202.

2. Hookah bowl as described in item 1, the inner bowl component 1204 andthe outer bowl component 1202 being removably coupled with respect toeach other.

3. Hookah bowl as described in items 1 or 2, the outer bowl component1202 having a support ridge 1212 for supporting a lower terminus of theinner bowl component 1204 and a top ridge 1210 partially covering theupper terminus of the inner bowl component 1204, the support ridge 1212and the top ridge 1210 fixedly maintaining a position of the inner bowlcomponent 1204 with respect to the outer bowl component 1202 when theinner and outer bowl components 1204, 1202 are coupled with respect toeach other.

4. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-3, the inner bowlcomponent 1204 being made from glass, ceramics, clay, stone or a metal.

5. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-4, the outer bowlcomponent 1202 being made from silicone or silicone rubber.

6. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-5, the outer bowlcomponent 1202 further having one or more window-like apertures 1208.

7. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-6, the one or morewindow-like apertures 1208 provided in the outer bowl component 1202providing a complete opening to an outer surface of the inner bowlcomponent 1204 such that this outer surface is in contact with theambient air in the area of the one or more window-like apertures 1208.

8. Hookah bowl as described in item 7, the outer bowl component 1202further having a sealing ridge to fixedly seal a ventilated cover 700,501 to the hookah bowl 300.

9. Hookah bowl as described in item 8, the sealing ridge providing anairtight seal.

10. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-9, the inner bowlcomponent 1204 having an interior space defined by an inner surface 306and one or more inner walls 322 separating the inner space into aplurality of compartments 320 for holding tobacco or other organicmatter to be smoked by a user.

11. Hookah bowl as described in item 10, having a plurality of thecompartments 320 arranged in a spiral with respect to each otheremanating from a central pipe 312.

12. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-11, having a stalk 304with a hollow central pipe 312.

13. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-12, having a grommet 314for sealing with a water pipe.

14. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-13, the exterior of thehookah bowl 300 including gripping features 316 for a user.

15. Hookah bowl as described in one of items 1-14, having couplingelements for coupling a heating source platform 521 to support charcoalor other heating sources, the coupling having at least onecircumferential ridge for coupling with a heating source platform 521.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over theprior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of atleast one aspect of the invention and to the achievement of the abovedescribed objectives. The words used in this specification to describethe instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense oftheir commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition inthis specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of thecommonly defined meanings Thus if an element may be understood in thecontext of this specification as including more than one meaning, thenits use must be understood as being generic to all possible meaningssupported by the specification and by the word or words describing theelement.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein aremeant to include not only the combination of elements which areliterally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts forperforming substantially the same function in substantially the same wayto obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is thereforecontemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements maybe made for any one of the elements described and its variousembodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or moreelements in a claim.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person withordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expresslycontemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and itsvarious embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later knownto one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scopeof the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understoodto include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what isconceptually equivalent, what may be obviously substituted, and alsowhat incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunctionwith the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the namedinventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended tobe patented.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for facilitating smoking of tobacco froma hookah, comprising: a bowl with an interior space defined by an innersurface and one or more walls separating the inner space into aplurality of compartments for holding organic matter to be smoked by auser.
 2. The bowl of claim 1, further comprising a stalk with a hollowcentral pipe.
 3. The central pipe of claim 2 further comprising agrommet for sealing with a water pipe.
 4. The bowl of claim 1, whereinthe bowl is comprised of silicone.
 5. The bowl of claim 1, wherein theexterior of the bowl includes gripping features for a user.
 6. The bowlof claim 1, wherein the bowl of claim 1 further includes coupling for aheating source platform to support charcoal or another heating source,the coupling having at least one ridge for coupling with a heatingsource platform.
 7. The bowl of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcompartments are arranged in a spiral emanating from a central pipe. 8.The bowl of claim 1, the bowl is comprised of a plurality of components.9. The bowl of claim 8, wherein the plurality of components areremovably coupled with respect to each other.
 10. The bowl of claim 8,wherein the plurality of components further comprises: a first, innerbowl component; and a second, outer bowl component.
 11. The bowl ofclaim 10, wherein the first, inner bowl is comprised of glass.
 12. Thebowl of claim 10, wherein the second, outer bowl is comprised ofsilicone.
 13. The bowl of claim 10, wherein the second, outer bowlcomponent comprises a support ridge for a lower terminus of the first,inner bowl component and a top ridge partially covering the upperterminus of the first, inner bowl component, wherein the ridges fixedlymaintain a position of the first, inner bowl component with respect tothe second, outer bowl component when the components are coupled. 14.The bowl of claim 10, wherein the second, outer bowl component furthercomprises windows.
 15. The bowl of claim 10, wherein the second, outerbowl component further comprises a sealing ridge to fixedly seal aventilated cover to the bowl.
 16. The bowl of claim 15, wherein the sealis airtight.